One of the finest extant examples of the most sought after regulation pattern of all Confederate battleflags- the Richmond Depot Third Bunting used by General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.

“Size” 47, leading edge: 46 1/4,” fly: 48.” Completely hand-sewn. Field is constructed of three pieces of red wool bunting, seamed horizonatally, and a five inch wide blue St. Andrew’s cross inserted into the field. The cross is trimmed with 1/2 inch white cotton twill tape fimbriation. Thirteen 3 1/2 inch white cotton stars single-appliquéd to each side of the cross with one in the center and three on each arm.

The flag offered here is attributed as being captured at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse by Captain Francis W. Butterfield of the 8th Ohio Infantry, and has been examined by numerous authorities whose findings are included. In an accompanying report detailing its history, flag expert Greg Biggs concludes his assessment "This is a wonderful example of a Richmond Depot Third Bunting flag made more exciting by being a battlefield capture from one of the most famous battles of the Civil War. A number of the holes through its field attest to the ferocity of the combat this flag faced. Also of great interest is that the flag was never sent to the War Department, but was retained by Captain Butterfield, its captor, and descended through his family..the fact that the flag was part of one of the most ferocious Civil War battles, the Mule Shoe at Spotsylvania, is most certainly a value multiplier and greatly enhances its history.”

Lasting for nearly two weeks, the Battle of Spotsylvania was characterized by intense fighting and brutal trench warfare as General George Meade’s Army of the Potomac and General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia clashed in a series of assaults and counterattacks, resulting in heavy casualties and an inconclusive outcome. Excitingly, a period account supports the flag’s capture by Captain Buttefield. In his September 4th, 1864 report on the battle, Brigadier General S.S Carroll wrote "My thanks are due to Captain Butterfield, Eighth Ohio, assistant inspector general. . .Captain Butterfield, in charge of the skirmish line, captured a stand of colors from the enemy on the morning of the 13th.” The War Department ostensibly allowed Captain Butterfield to keep the flag, where it was retained in his family.

According to Biggs’ files, this flag was first acquired from Butterfield’s relatives in 1980 by Les Jensen (West Point Museum Curator of Arms and Armor) and has been privately held since. It has been examined by textile conservator Fonda Thomsen, who states in her (included) analysis "After a thorough examination of the materials and construction of this flag, as well as a comparison of these materials with previous examinations of documented period flags, it is my opinion, as a Textile Conservator, that the materials in and construction of this flag appear to match documented Civil War Confederate battle flags…The condition of the flag suggests it was manufactured and issued towards the end of the 3rd bunting ANV production in 1864. This would also correspond with the suggested capture at the Battle of Spotsylvania in May of 1864.”

With respect to the flag configuration and construction, Biggs states in his report "the blue cross is atypical of the crosses on the Richmond Depot flags. Usually, the cross was one long piece with two short pieces sewn to it with flat fell seams. In this flag's case, the cross is made of two long blue strips, one laid over the other. So far as I know only one other ANV flag is made like this; the flag of the Palmetto Sharpshooters of South Carolina which was made in May 1863 and issued a month later. This adds to the uniqueness of this flag."

The flag has recently been professionally conserved and framed for exhibition. In-house shipping is not available for this lot.


Rare opportunity to acquire perhaps the most desirable of all Civil War artifacts, a documented Confederate battleflag. This piece deserves an eminent home.

Serious parties are encouraged to request a copy of the flag’s full documentation, which is extensive.






[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Tintype, CDV, Albumen, carte-de-visite, Salt print, Cabinet Card] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]